Italy probes alleged “sniper tourism” in 1990s Bosnia

On February 5, 2026, Italian prosecutors in Milan confirmed they are investigating allegations that some individuals paid to shoot at civilians in Sarajevo during the siege of the Bosnian War in the 1990s. The inquiry focuses on claims that foreigners, including Italian citizens, paid members of Bosnian Serb forces for access to sniper positions overlooking the besieged city.

The investigation began in November 2025 after a legal complaint by a journalist and novelist urged prosecutors to examine claims of so‑called “sniper tourism,” sometimes described in media as trips in which participants allegedly paid fees to fire on civilians from elevated positions around Sarajevo during the siege that lasted from 1992 to 1996. The complaint cited material including a 2022 documentary about alleged war tourism during the conflict.

Italian news reporting indicates that the first individual to be formally placed under investigation is an 80‑year‑old former truck driver. Prosecutors have said allegations include possible premeditated murder and other related crimes, but authorities have not provided full details about the evidence or the identities of other potential suspects.

The claims under investigation relate to activities during the four‑year siege of Sarajevo, during which more than 11,000 civilians were killed by shelling and sniper fire from positions held by Bosnian Serb forces. Italian prosecutors are reviewing historical material to determine whether criminal conduct occurred and whether individuals can be identified and charged.

As of early February 2026, the inquiry is ongoing, and no convictions have been reported. Italian authorities continue to question witnesses and review records as part of the broader examination of the allegations.